Separable fastener for furniture legs and frames



Dec. 2, 1952 H. MUTCHNIK 2,620,248

SEPARABLE FASTENER FOR FURNITURE LEGS AND FRAMES Filed Dec. 9, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 I N VEN TOR.

H94 7772156612 z'k,

Dec. 2, 1952 H. MUTCHNIK 2,620,248

SEPARABLE FASTENER FOR FURNITURE LEGS AND FRAMES Filed Dec. 9, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 63 60 FF I Q 7 INVENTOR.

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q? ,9 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 2, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEPARABLE FASTENER FOR FURNITURE LEGS AND FRAMES Henry Mutchnik, Baltimore, Md. Application December 9, 1949; Serial'No. 132,106

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to separable or detachable devices for securing table legs and tops to pedestals and bed rails and the like to posts, and in particular a holding plate with tongue receiving sockets therein, a base plate with tongues extended therefrom and a wedge for locking the tongues in the sockets whereby with the holding plate positioned on one element and the base plate on another the elements may be clamped together with a wedge action wherein play developing in a joint between the elements may be taken up by driving the wedge into the tongues.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a positive locking connection between elements such as table legs and bed rails and supporting members therefore in which a metal to metal contact is obtained so that the joint is not affected by shrinkage of the wood members.

In the usual method of attaching legs to pedestals of tables, and the like the parts are held by wood screws and when the furniture is moved it is necessary to remove and replace the screws. This continuous removing and replacing of wood screws in wood elements causes play so that furniture that is moved several times is not rigid. Furthermore wood shrinks with age and with screws holding one wood element against the other play soon develops in the joint. With these thoughts in mind this invention contemplates a positive metal to metal contact in joints of table legs and tops to pedestals and bed rails'to posts wherein substantially all play due to shrinkage and wear is eliminated.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide means for rigidly connecting table legs and the like to pedestals in which the parts may be removed and replaced continually without play developing in the joints.

Another object of the invention is to provide a separable connection for table legs and tops and also for bed rails and the like in which the parts may be separated without removing screws.

Another object of the invention is to provide a separable connection for table legs, tops, bed rails and the like in which means is provided for taking up wear that may develop in the parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wedge controlled separable connection for removable elements of furniture and the like which is of a comparatively simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a holding plate having tongue receiving sockets therein permanently mounted on the table element, a base plate with 2 tongues extended therefrom and positioned to extend through the sockets of the holding plate mounted on another element and a wedge that is inserted through openings in the tongues of the base plate for positively clamping the base plate to the holding plate.

Other features and advantages will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a cross section through a bed rail showing the separable connection securing the end of the rail to a bed post.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device as shown in Figure l with parts of the bed rail and post broken away.

Figure 3 is an elevational view looking toward the post with the rail and holding plate carried thereby removed.

Figure 4 is a sectional plan taken on line 44 of Figure 2 showing a bed rail attached to a post.

Figure 5 is a view showing a table leg attached to the lower end of a pedestal of a table with parts of the pedestal broken away and shown in section and with the holding plate also shown in section.

Figure 6 is a view looking upwardly toward the under side of the lower end of the pedestal showing the devices mounted in the pedestal.

Figure 7 is a sectional plan taken on line 1-'| of Figure 5 showing the holding elements in position between the pedestal and table legs.

Figure 8 is a detail showing the front elevational view of the base plate shown in Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a view showing the holding plate of the design shown in Figure 5.

Figure 10 is a View showing the wedge.

Figure 11 is a view looking upwardly toward the under side of the modification illustrated in Figure 12 wherein the edges of two table tops are secured together by the separable device.

Figure 12 is a cross section through the separable device shown in Figure 11 also showing the edges of two tables locked together by the device.

Figure 13 is a detail illustrating a modification wherein an angle shaped holding plate is provided with a ledge on one leg for securing the holding plate in position on a bed rail as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 14 is a detail illustrating the base plate of the device shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 15 is a detail illustrating the device in the position of holding the bridge of a table top to the upper end of a table pedestal.

Figure 16 is a detail showing a further modification wherein the tongues are combined providing a continuous sleeve.

Figure 1'7 shows a holding plate for the sleeve type of tongue shown in Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a sectional plan through the looking elements shown in Figures 16 and 17 with the parts assembled.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts the separable keeper or'fastener of this invention includes a holding plate III, a base plate II. and a wedge I2.

In the device shown in Figures 1,; 2-, and3 the holding plate III is provided with countersunk screw holes I3 and a flange I4 extends from one edge.

therein, that extend outwardly from the base plate II. with counter-sunk screw holes as indicated by the numeral I8.- In this design the holding plate Ifl'isalso provided with a short-flange I9 that is positioned in a slot 20 in a bed rail or the like, as-indicated' by'the numeral 2I' and'with this flange positioned in the slot the" holding plate is located on the end of the-rai1 and'securely held in position by the flange. The holding plate is also secured to the bed railbyscrews 22 positioned in the openings I3;

With these parts in position and with thebase plateI I secured to the face of apost 23 by. screws 24, the end of the bedrail isheld against the face fthe post with the tongues I6 extended through the sockets I" and the wedge I2 is dropped into the openings I'I; The'wedge may be tapped lightly if desired and should wear develop in the parts the wedge may be driven further into the openings of the'tongues.

In the design shown in Figures-5-10 inclusive an L-shaped holding plate 25- is secured in a recess 26 in a pedestalZ-I andsockets 28 are-positioned in-the' plate to receive tongues 29 on-a base plate 30. The end 31 of the holding plate 25 is also provided with a socket 32 for receiving the wedge I2.

The plate 25-is also providedwith screw'holes, as indicatedby the numeral 33 and this plate is secured in the recess 26-by screws 34; The base plate 30 is provided with screw holes and this plate is secured ina recess 36 inthe end of a leg 31 by screws 38. v

With the parts arranged in this manner the legs 31-" are positioned against the surface of thepedestal with the tongues 29 extended through the sockets 28 and the wedge I2 is-inserted through the socket 32 Qand through the openings in the tongues as shown in Figure 5. Thewedge may be secured in theleg by'a screw 39' positioned in an opening 40in a head- 4I andthreade'd into" an opening 42 in'the end3I of the holding plate 25. The holding plate 25 and' the base plate 30 are permanently attached is the pedestal and legs, respectively-and with the wedge secured inposition the legs are posi-' tively clamped to the post with a metal t6 metal contact;

In Figure 15 a device similar to the device illustrated in Figures- 1-4 inclusive is=illustrated on the upper end of a pedestal as indicated by the numeral 43 which may be the-upper end of the pedestal 21, andin'thisdesign the base plate H is mounted on the under surface of a bridge 44 of a tabletop'with thetongues I6 extended downwardly and the holding plate Illis mounted on thesurface ofthe upper end The flange I4 is provided with sook-' ets I5 for receiving tongues I6 with slots II The base plate II is alsoprovided of the pedestal. The flange I9 of the plate It! extends into a slot 45 and the wedge I2 extends through the tongues I6.

In the design illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 a holding plate 46 with a flange 41 on one edge is secured to the under surface 48 of a table top 49 by screws 50. In this design the base plate 5| which is provided with an extended flange 52 is slidably mounted on the under surface of atable top 53 by screws-Hand with the screws positioned in elongated slots 55 of the flange 52' the base plate may be moved inwardly with the-ends-of the tongues 56 thereof under and within the limits of the top 53 so that the tongues do not project beyond the edge of the tabletop when the tables are separated. The tongues 56 are provided with wedge receiving openings 51 similar to the openings I! of the tongue I6.

It will be understood, therefore, that the separable fastener orkeeper of this'invention, which is formed with a holding plate; abase plate, and a wedge maybe provided in different designs-whereby it-is "adapted for different types of furniture. The parts may. be attached to the surfaces of the elements of furniture or may. be mounted in recesses made therein, as shown.- the'base plate II being mounted in arecess 58 inthepost 23 shown in Figure '4. I

The holding and base plates may also be mounted upon different parts or elements-of furniture or other devices and with the tongue of the base plate clamped in the sockets of the holding plate by the wedges'the elements-"arerigidly' secured together.

In-the design shown'in Figures 16, 17, and 18; the tongues I6 are combined providing a continuous tapering shield 59 on abase plate 66. and aholding plate BI is provided with a slot 6'2in a flange 63 to receive the shield; whereby.- with the parts mounted on parts of a table, bed or the like awedge I2 is inserted in the sleeve to lock the parts-assembled whereby a table top or leg, bed rail, or the like is rigidly clamped in position.

It will be understood that modifications in th'e' design and arrangement of the parts within'th'e scope of'the-appended claims, may be-made'in' the fastener without departing froin'the spirit of the 1 invention.

What is claimed 1 is:

1. In a; separable fastener for legs of table pedestals, the combination which comprises aholding plate positioned ina recess of the pedestal, said holding plate-having spaced elon-' gated sockets therein, a baseplate with tongueshaving openings therethrough extendedtherefrom, said base platem'ounted in a recess at the" end of a tablele'g; and a wedgeext'ended throughthe'tonguesof the base'plate with-the tongues" extended through the sockets ofthe holding plate for clamping the legs to the pedestal.

2; In a separable fastener for legs of table pedestals, the combination which comprises an L-shaped holding plate positioned in a recess ofthe' pedestal, said holding plate having spaced elongated sockets" therein, a base plate with tongues having openings therethrough extended therefrom, said'b'ase plate mountedi'n a' recess' at the end of a table leg, a wedge extended through the tongues of the base plate with the tongues. extended through the sockets of the holding plate for clampingthe legs to the pedestal, said wedge having a. flange extended from one end, and a. screw extended through the flange of the wedge and threaded into the holding plate for securing the wedge in position in the fastener.

HENRY MUTCHNIK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Volz Apr. 18, 1893 Schneider July 16, 1907 Hicks Dec. 31, 1929 Manhard Feb. 3, 1948 Macleod Feb. 15, 1949 

